Air bags: frontal; air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module; air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module (Ford, Lincoln and Mercury)
Vehicle recall 21V-081. NHTSA received Ford Motor Company’s report on Feb 16, 2021.
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The short answer
NHTSA received Ford Motor Company’s report on Feb 16, 2021. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 28, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles.
These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Air bags: frontal.
- NHTSA’s part: Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module.
- NHTSA’s part: Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module.
What should you do?
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 21S05.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 1,067 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
- Ford Rangerand 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011, before the model years listed here
- Ford Mustangand 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, before the model years listed here
- Ford Edgeand 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010, before the model years listed here
- Lincoln MKXand 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010, before the model years listed here
- Ford Fusionand 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, before the model years listed here
- Lincoln MKZand 2009 and 2010, before the model years listed here
- Mercury Milanand 2009, 2010 and 2011, before the model years listed here
- Ford GTand 2006, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by Ford Motor Company.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010).
Released Oct 28, 2026 and checked Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 28, 2026.